NWA Democrat-Gazette/BEN GOFF @NWABENGOFFArkansas players welcome their teammates back to the dugout after their turn in the field in the 5th inning on Saturday April 16, 2016 during game three of the series against Florida in Baum Stadium in Fayetteville.

By Derek Oxford

NWA Democrat-Gazette

Arkansas didn’t have quite as successful a year in 2015-16 as it had in 2014-15, which saw the football team win a bowl game, the basketball team make the second round of the NCAA Tournament, and the baseball team make the College World Series for the eighth time in school history.

Last year, the football team did make progress, however, by improving its record from 7-6 to 8-5, which included a thrilling upset win over Ole Miss and then a dismantling of LSU for the second consecutive season.

The Razorbacks capped things off with a 45-23 victory over Kansas State in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl in Memphis. In the spring, a number of players were drafted, including Hunter Henry, who went in the second round to the San Diego Chargers.

Running back Jonathan Williams was drafted in the fifth round by the Buffalo Bills, and fellow running back Alex Collins was selected in the same round by the Seattle Seahawks. Quarterback Brandon Allen, who had one of the best campaigns by a signal caller in Arkansas history, was taken in the sixth round by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Offensive lineman Sebastian Tretola was taken in the sixth round as well, by the Tennessee Titans.

The basketball team regressed after losing Bobby Portis to the NBA’s Chicago Bulls, as well as Michael Qualls, who declared for the draft but wasn’t taken. After a counterfeiting scandal saw Arkansas have to kick Jacorey Williams off the team and lose Anton Beard for a semester, the Razorbacks were a .500 team heading into SEC play.

That’s where they would finish up as well, with a 16-16 overall mark and a 9-9 record in league competition. In the process, players like Moses Kingsley and Dusty Hannahs emerged as key contributors, and both will return this season as Arkansas tries to make it back to the NCAA Tournament.

A talented recruiting class, spearheaded by some highly regarded junior college players, has many people expecting the Razorbacks to earn a spot in the Big Dance.

Probably the most shocking thing was the decline of the baseball team. Head coach Dave Van Horn had never had a losing season as the Arkansas skipper, but after a blistering start, the team cooled off in SEC play and never recovered, finishing near the cellar of the conference and missing a NCAA regional for the first time since 2001.

No one expects Arkansas to continue that slide, however, and the team should be back in the hunt to make a regional in 2017.

Other UA varsity sports include track and field and cross-country, in which the Razorbacks have won an unprecedented 43 NCAA national championships, including 12 straight NCAA indoor titles from 1984 to 1995.

Athlete Jarrion Lawson, a Texarkana, Texas native, did something that hadn’t been done since Jesse Owens in 1936 when he won gold medals in the 100-meter dash, the 200-meter dash and the long jump at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Oregon.

His performance made him a Bowerman Award finalist, given to the nation’s top male track athlete, and he is also up for an ESPY for best college male athlete.

Longtime women’s track and field coach Lance Harter won his first national championship during the 2014-15 campaign in indoor track, which was held in Fayetteville.

They also won a national championship this past year, winning the outdoor crown. Harter was named Coach of the Year for his efforts.

The success of the program has played a role in the construction of world-class facilities, including the Randal Tyson Track Center for indoor competition and John McDonnell Field, named for the Hogs’ legendary former head track coach.

UA also field teams in golf (men’s and women’s), gymnastics, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis (men and women) and volleyball.

More information for all UA sporting events is available online at arkansasrazorbacks.com, or wholehogsports.com. Ticket information is available by calling (800) 982-4647.

]]>http://life.nwadg.com/2016/07/31/nwa-rallies-behind-the-hogs/feed/0Woo Pig!http://life.nwadg.com/2015/07/25/woo-pig/
http://life.nwadg.com/2015/07/25/woo-pig/#respondSat, 25 Jul 2015 06:00:51 +0000http://now.nwaonline.com/?p=788Continue reading]]>The Arkansas Razorbacks enjoyed a stellar year in 2014-15, which started with the football team achieving bowl eligibility for the first time since the 2011 team won the AT&T Cotton Bowl under former coach Bobby Petrino.

Under second-year head coach Bret Bielema, Arkansas went 6-6, but ended the year by winning two of its final three Southeastern Conference games in dominating fashion, blanking No. 17 LSU and No. 8 Ole Miss by a combined 47-0.

It was the first time in college football history that an unranked team had managed to shut out two consecutive ranked opponents.

Arkansas ended the year with a resounding 31-7 victory over former longtime Southwestern Conference rival Texas in the Texas Bowl in Houston on Dec. 29.

Bielema’s third season begins on Sept. 5 with Texas-El Paso visiting Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville. There are also home games with Texas Tech, Auburn, Tennessee-Martin, Mississippi State and Missouri, and the Razorbacks will play Toledo in Little Rock’s War Memorial Stadium on Sept. 12.

Returning for Arkansas on offense will be senior quarterback Brandon Allen, along with senior running back Jonathan Williams and junior running back Alex Collins, as well as junior tight end Hunter Henry and senior wide receiver Keon Hatcher.

The men’s basketball team enjoyed one of its best seasons in recent memory under head coach Mike Anderson, returning to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2008 after winning 27 games and finishing second in the SEC behind Kentucky.

Arkansas earned a No. 5 seed in the West region, and defeated Wofford 56-53 before falling to perennial college basketball power North Carolina in the round of 32, 87-78.

Bobby Portis and Michael Qualls both declared for the NBA draft shortly after the season was over, and freshman guard Nick Babb elected to transfer to Iowa State. Arkansas guard Rashad Madden and forward Alandise Harris both graduated, but the Hogs return a number of players that saw extensive playing time last season, including guards Anton Beard and Anthlon Bell, as well as forwards Jacorey Williams and Moses Kingsley.

Arkansas is also bringing in a talented recruiting class of guard Jimmy Whitt from Columbia, Mo., and forward Ted Kapita from Huntington, W. Va., who is originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They will also get guard Dusty Hannahs eligible, a transfer from Texas Tech who originally hails from Little Rock.

Jimmy Dykes had a brilliant debut as head coach of the women’s basketball team, making the NCAA Tournament as a 10 seed with only nine players. Arkansas won its first round game over Northwestern, but fell to Baylor in the second round.

Dykes signed a highly touted nine-person recruiting class in the spring, and the increased depth and the return of Jessica Jackson and Kelsey Brooks should lead to even more success in 2015-16.

On the diamond, Dave Van Horn just keeps finding ways to impress, leading his team to the College World Series for the fourth time since he took over in 2003 for legendary coach Norm DeBriyn. After a slow start, the Razorbacks caught fire behind SEC Player of the Year Andrew Benintendi and a much-improved pitching staff.

Under Van Horn, Arkansas has never missed the NCAA tournament, and the streak of making the postseason is now at 14 consecutive years, which only four other teams in the country can match.

Benintendi was selected in the first round in June’s Major League Baseball draft by the Boston Red Sox with the No. 7 overall pick.

Other UA varsity sports include track and field and cross-country, in which the Razorbacks have won an unprecedented 42 NCAA national championships, including 12 straight NCAA indoor titles from 1984 to 1995.

Longtime women’s track and field coach Lance Harter won his first national championship during the 2014-15 campaign in indoor track, which was held in Fayetteville.

The success of the program has played a role in the construction of world-class facilities, including the Randal Tyson Track Center for indoor competition and John McDonnell Field, named for the Hogs’ legendary former head track coach.

UA also field teams in golf (men and women), gymnastics, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis (men and women) and volleyball.

More information for all UA sporting events is available online at arkansasrazorbacks.com, which recently underwent a complete remodel, or wholehogsports.com. Ticket information is available by calling (800) 982-4647.

]]>http://life.nwadg.com/2015/07/25/woo-pig/feed/0Out & abouthttp://life.nwadg.com/2014/07/27/out-about/
http://life.nwadg.com/2014/07/27/out-about/#respondSun, 27 Jul 2014 06:00:57 +0000http://now.nwaonline.com/?p=674Continue reading]]>Few places in America offers outdoors lovers more to do and more places to do it than Northwest Arkansas.
From tiny creeks to mammoth reservoirs, cozy parks to sprawling woods, paved paths to mountain-scaling trails, there is something or someplace to appeal to just about anyone.
Outfitters, too, are plentiful for those who need direction or gear to get started, along with a number of clubs that bring together like-minded folks of every skill level.
The following is just a sampling of what’s out there to enjoy.
BOATING/FLOATING, ETC.
Other than its towering Boston and Ozark Mountain ranges, Northwest Arkansas is perhaps best known for the dozens of rivers and streams that crisscross the area.
The Buffalo National River is recognized nationwide for its scenic beauty, which depending on water levels and flows can be enjoyed for a length of about 130 miles. It begins just east of Huntsville in Madison County and flows east, eventually dumping into the White River south of Mountain Home. Along the way, floaters are treated to a breathtaking gallery of towering bluffs, crystal-clear waters and practically every species of animal and plant life to be found in the region. There is also some notably good fishing, especially for smallmouth bass.
Closer to the population hub of the region are the Kings River in Madison County, the Elk River in far southwest Missouri and the Illinois River near Siloam Springs. All offer year-round floating — the Kings can require a lot of dragging in drought conditions — and outfitters are available all along to provide rental canoes, shuttles and other necessities.
Boating, skiing and swimming are within easy reach at Beaver Lake, which features more than a dozen public-use areas with varying levels of facilities. Eleven have swimming beaches and seven offer full-service marinas.
Other area lakes include Lake Fort Smith just off Interstate 49 near Mountainburg, Table Rock Lake along the Arkansas-Missouri state line, Bull Shoals Lake just east of Table Rock and Grand Lake of the Cherokees near Grove, Okla.

RUNNING/WALKING/BICYCLING
Residents across Northwest Arkansas are enjoying sections of the new Razorback Greenway trail system that will run unbroken for 36 miles from Fayetteville north to Bella Vista when completed. The last sections are under construction, and the Greenway is expected to be complete by winter of 2014.
Other shared-use trails are plentiful throughout area cities. Bentonville boasts the 14-mile Slaughter Pen Mountain Bike Trail, along with a popular “bark park” for dogs on North Walton Boulevard. The Heritage Trail System in Rogers covers nearly 60 miles, and Springdale offers six city parks and 12 miles of trails with more in the works. Fayetteville has 21 different trails totaling about 18 miles, some of which are part of Razorback Greenway.
Runners can also enjoy the trails or take to area roads for a scenic run, although hills are likely to be part of the experience. Competitive runners have lots of events from which to choose, including the Hogeye Marathon and Relays each spring, the Chile Pepper cross-country festival each fall and many others.

CAMPING
Those who enjoy sleeping under the stars — or inside a remote cabin — can find plenty of opportunities to do so across Northwest Arkansas.
The region is rich in state parks, along with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds and others that are privately owned and operated, all of which offer varying levels of accommodations.
Camping is also available on river bars for overnight float trips, and many hiking routes such as the 218-mile Ozark Highlands Trail offer generous rules for camping.
Cabins are available at state parks across the region, including Devil’s Den, Lake Fort Smith, Mount Magazine, Mount Nebo, and Ozark Folk Center. Area lakes and streams also are dotted with commercially owned cabins that are available for rent.

HIKING
Day hikes also are popular in the area, in part because places to enjoy a walk in nature are practically endless.
Beyond a simple stroll in the woods, area hiking groups such as The Ozark Society and Ozark Highlands Trail Association sponsor group outings. Distances and degrees of difficulty vary and are announced in advance.
Guided hikes also are available at area state parks. Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area near Rogers is Arkansas’ largest state park and offers six trails totaling 35 miles. Devil’s Den State Park near Winslow and Withrow Springs State Park in Huntsville also are popular hiking spots.
NATURE CENTER
Those interested in observing and learning more about wildlife and related topics can take a day trip to the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center near Fort Smith.
The center is operated by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and occupies 170 acres of land that includes Wells Lake and a variety of trails for viewing birds and other wildlife, plants and more.
A wide variety of organized activities for children and adults is offered by the center, and a complete calendar is available online at rivervalleynaturecenter.com.

GOLFING
Northwest Arkansas is not at all lacking for places to play golf. From public links to posh country club layouts, more than 30 courses meander across the area.
Bella Vista property owners and guests enjoy six 18-hole championship courses and two nine-hole layouts. There are also two driving ranges — the Tanyard Creek Golf Practice Center just off Lancashire Boulevard, and the Highlands Golf Course, both of which include short-game areas.
Top public courses include Prairie Creek Country Club and Lost Springs Golf and Athletic Club in Rogers, Stonebridge Meadows in south Fayetteville and the Golf Club at Valley View in Farmington.
Public golf is also available at several Lindsey Management Co. apartment communities across the area. Such courses are located in Bentonville, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Lowell, Rogers and Springdale.
The area is also home to several top-shelf private courses, including Pinnacle Country Club, which plays host to the Walmart Northwest Arkansas Open, an annual stop for the LPGA Tour. ■

]]>http://life.nwadg.com/2014/07/27/out-about/feed/0Options abound for outdoor funhttp://life.nwadg.com/2014/07/27/options-abound-for-outdoor-fun/
http://life.nwadg.com/2014/07/27/options-abound-for-outdoor-fun/#respondSun, 27 Jul 2014 06:00:40 +0000http://now.nwaonline.com/?p=676Continue reading]]>Northwest Arkansas has plenty of options for recreation, especially outdoors, thanks to the scenic beauty of the Boston Mountains and the Ozark National Forest.
The easiest way to swim is Beaver Lake, but there are a significant amount of aquatic parks in the area for children and adults to enjoy.
Springdale Aquatic Center opened in May 2000 and includes a baby/toddler pool with dolphin replicas and has dual slide tubes for older ages. Swim lessons are offered during the summer at $50 per session per child ages 4 and older.
There are lockers, a small snack bar and swimming diapers are available. Admission is $2 for ages 0-4, $4 for ages 5 and older and a deck fee of $2. Springdale Aquatic Center accepts cash, check, Mastercard and Visa. It is open from Memorial Day until Labor Day.
Normal hours are Monday-Saturday from noon-6:45 p.m., and Sundays from 1 p.m.-6:45 p.m.
Siloam Springs Family Aquatic Center is just a short drive from Interstate 49 and offers a 10 percent discount on annual membership passes if purchased in the month of April.
Normal hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1 p.m.-6 p.m., Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 1 p.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday from 2 p.m.-6 p.m. There is a members only swim on Saturdays from 10 a.m.-noon.

Daily admission is $4 ages four and up, while ages three and under is $3. Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by a parent or authorized guardian.
The Family Aquatic Center offers a June and July session of swimming lessons for $35 a lesson.
Prairie Grove Aquatic Park allows residents in western Washington County an outlet for fun and relaxation in the pool and is just 15 minutes from Fayetteville.
Normal hours are Monday-Thursday from noon-6 p.m., Friday-Saturday from noon-7 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m.-7 p.m.
There is an early season opening on Memorial Day weekend, but the full time pool season runs June 5 through August 17.
Daily admission is $4 per person ages 6 and up, and $3 for children ages 5 and under and senior citizens ages 55 and up. After 5 p.m., adults are $2 and seniors and children are just $1.
Season passes can be purchased for $185 for a family of four, and $35 for each additional immediate family member. One guest pass can be purchased with each family pass. Individual season passes are $60.
The Rogers Aquatic Center is the newest water park in Northwest Arkansas, opening last May at a cost of nearly $12 million.
A three-acre park, normal hours are Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sundays from noon-6 p.m.
Features include a leisure pool with two basketball goals and a volleyball net, as well as a lily pad walk and large play structure. There is a six-lane competition pool, a 500-foot lazy river that contains therapy jets and vortex pool, a plunge pool with a rock climbing wall, a tot pool with a big play structure, a splash pad, two speed slides off a 40-foot-tall tower, and open flume and enclosed flume slides off a a 40-foot-tall tower.
There are men’s and women’s bathhouses and lockers, family bathrooms, free parking, food service and concessions, pavilions, and an open pass with the allowance of coming and going as a person pleases courtesy of a hand-stamp.
All of these parks will be accessible or will be a short drive from the Northwest Arkansas Razorback Regional Greenway, better known as just the Razorback Greenway, a 36-mile, primarily off-road, shared-use trail that extends from the Bella Vista Trail in north Bentonville to south Fayetteville.
The trail will connect several popular community destinations including six downtown areas, three major hospitals, 23 schools, the University of Arkansas, corporate headquarters of Walmart, JB Hunt and Tyson Foods, arts and entertainment venues, shopping areas, historic sites, parks, playgrounds and residential communities. ■

]]>http://life.nwadg.com/2014/07/27/options-abound-for-outdoor-fun/feed/0Unique teams: Rugby, ultimate frisbee looking to catch on locallyhttp://life.nwadg.com/2014/07/27/unique-teams-rugby-ultimate-frisbee-looking-to-catch-on-locally/
http://life.nwadg.com/2014/07/27/unique-teams-rugby-ultimate-frisbee-looking-to-catch-on-locally/#respondSun, 27 Jul 2014 06:00:30 +0000http://now.nwaonline.com/?p=679Continue reading]]>The Arkansas Gryphons are trying to drum up interest and support in Northwest Arkansas for its rugby club, which started in 2007 when some former University of Arkansas rugby players who had stayed in Fayetteville wanted to have a team to belong to in the area.
“Similar to lacrosse up here, there are a few leagues, but for the most part, it’s a non-professional sport in the United States,” said Jason Ayers, head coach of the Gryphons. “It’s different worldwide, where a lot of the players just eat, sleep and drink rugby and get paid to play. However, there are college scholarship opportunities, which Arkansas State University in Jonesboro offers for rugby.”
Ayers said that there are a number of things the Gryphons are trying to do in the short-term to improve the club.
“We’re looking to secure a home-field pitch, because a lot of times we get shoved around for recreational youth baseball, soccer and softball,” Ayers said. “We’re constantly having to move our fields, so we need to find a permanent home for us.”
Youth rugby in Northwest Arkansas is something that Ayers mentioned as another short-term goal that would help benefit the Gryphons.
“There are a lot of clubs around us, like in Tulsa, Kansas City, Little Rock and Memphis that offer youth rugby,” Ayers said. “They become feeder clubs for colleges and other clubs. Rugby is going to be in the 2016 Olympic Games and it’s beginning to be featured more on the NBC Sports Network.”
The Gryphons have a couple of local sponsors, such as Core Brewery and US Lawns, to offset some of their costs, which are all absorbed by the players.
“We try to do a lot of work in the community; we’ve worked with the battered women’s shelter in Springdale and we’ve read to children in the area,” Ayers said. “It has led to further recruiting, and we have an open-door policy with our club. Anyone is welcome to attend our Tuesday and Thursday practices.”
One long-term goal that Ayers identified was the construction of a rugby pitch with an attached clubhouse, complete with showers and locker rooms.
“We want to have good rugby on and off the pitch,” Ayers said. “We want to have a home base where we could host other teams and have a trophy case to display our success. And we are always looking for new athletes to come out and learn and play the game with us. No experience is necessary.”
There are three seasons for the Gryphons — fall, spring and summer. They compete in the Heart of America Rugby Football Union, Division III.
In the fall, they play in the Midwest region against teams from Kansas City, Springfield, Mo. and Wichita, Kan.
“It starts back up from February to April and then we travel to tournaments in the summer,” Ayers said.
The Gryphons have began to use social media to enlist interested players and develop a rapport within the community.
“We have a Facebook page and a webpage that we are constantly updating, as well as Twitter and Instagram,” Ayers said. “The greatest ambassadors are the players themselves, and them coming out and enjoying it. We want to take it to the schools and pass out flyers. It can be non-contact for beginners and youth until we can teach them rugby and teach them the proper tackling techniques.”
The Gryphons can be found at arkansasrugby.com, and on Twitter @arkrugby.

Throwing the disc
Approximately 250 players from the Northwest Arkansas metropolitan area meet twice a week at different locations in Fayetteville to play ultimate Frisbee, a sport that has gained steam with high school and college students.
“Player level ranges are from a new beginner to a USA Ultimate Nationals attendee,” said Will Dockery, spokesman for the Fayetteville Disc League.
On Tuesdays, the league plays competitive matches at Lewis soccer fields in Fayetteville at 6:30 and on Thursdays, pickup games are held at Walker Park in south Fayetteville from 6:30 until nightfall. They are also held from 2-4 p.m. on Sundays.
“It’s a lot of fun and helps keep you in shape,” Dockery said. “A typical game has you going from sprinting to jogging and covering several miles all while you are constantly challenged to throw and catch.”
Dockery said anyone is welcome to come and participate, and that all they need to do is bring cleats and a white and dark shirt.
“We will gladly teach you the rest,” he said.
More information is available at fayettevilledisc.org, and they can be reached by email at fdawinterleague@gmail.com. ■

]]>http://life.nwadg.com/2014/07/27/unique-teams-rugby-ultimate-frisbee-looking-to-catch-on-locally/feed/0‘Never yield!’ Razorbacks’ rallying cry sounds In quest for athletic excellencehttp://life.nwadg.com/2014/07/27/never-yield-razorbacks-rallying-cry-sounds-in-quest-for-athletic-excellence/
http://life.nwadg.com/2014/07/27/never-yield-razorbacks-rallying-cry-sounds-in-quest-for-athletic-excellence/#respondSun, 27 Jul 2014 06:00:24 +0000http://now.nwaonline.com/?p=681Continue reading]]>The Arkansas Razorbacks head into the 2014-15 school year with high expectations as always, competing in arguably the nation’s toughest league — the Southeastern Conference.
In football, head coach Bret Bielema enters his second season after a difficult first year, which saw the school’s first ever nine-game losing streak after a 3-0 start.
The fall 2014 schedule includes home games with Nicholls State, Northern Illinois, Georgia, Alabama, Alabama-Birmingham and LSU. The Georgia game is in Little Rock’s War Memorial Stadium, as Arkansas is one of the few schools in the country that still splits its home games at multiple venues.
Quarterback Brandon Allen returns to the Razorbacks, as do several talented skill players, including running backs Alex Collins, Jonathan Williams and Korliss Marshall and tight end Hunter Henry.
“This conference is everything that I thought it was, times 1,000,” Bielema said in a postseason news conference. “It’s great competition. I think the fact that this team got better every week, in spite of everything that was going on, truly gives an indication of where they can be.”
Defensive end Trey Flowers elected to return to school for his senior year and anchor the defense, even though he likely could have entered the NFL Draft.
“On the field, I’m excited about the program being built and wanted to help the Razorbacks come back in 2014,” Flowers told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in January. “Even though my draft grade was good, I believe another year under Coach Bielema will help improve my draft status.”
They will open the season on the all-new SEC Network on Aug. 30, facing defending SEC champion Auburn and head coach Gus Malzahn, who is an Arkansas native and was once an assistant for the Razorbacks.
Mike Anderson’s basketball team is coming off its first postseason appearance in six years when his Razorbacks won 22 games and advanced to the second round of the National Invitational Tournament.
Sophomore forward Bobby Portis will be back to anchor a veteran team that is poised to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2008.
“If you look at what’s taken place from the first year we got here until right now, obviously it’s a positive move in the right direction,” Anderson said in a postseason press conference. “We want to be playing for national championships, but we can use it as a springboard.”
Anderson has been head coach for three years at the school where he spent 17 years under Nolan Richardson, who was named to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame earlier this year.
In women’s basketball, athletic director Jeff Long made a splash in March when he hired former ESPN basketball announcer Jimmy Dykes as head coach after firing Tom Collen.
Dykes graduated from high school in Fayetteville and played basketball for Arkansas when Eddie Sutton was the head coach in the 1980s.
“This timing was perfect and this job was perfect,” Dykes said at his introductory news conference. “For me to uproot and leave Northwest Arkansas, just didn’t make sense. This is the one job in the country that I would have left for. I’m a big believer in women’s basketball. I want to be not only a voice for University of Arkansas women’s basketball, I want to be a voice for the country. I think our game needs that right now.”
Dave Van Horn led the Razorback baseball team to an NCAA regional for the 13th consecutive year, and Van Horn has presided over 12 of those teams.
The Razorbacks won 40 games for the seventh time in Van Horn’s tenure and made it to the championship round of the Charlottesville regional before bowing out to No. 3 national seed Virginia.
“I appreciate the effort that they’ve given us the last couple of months,” Van Horn told the Democrat-Gazette after the season-ending loss to Virginia. “There was a time where we could have gone either way. Guys just kept fighting and we started winning.”
New for the Razorbacks in 2014 will be a new secondary logo, which was revealed in April at the annual ‘Hogspys’ awards banquet at the Walton Arts Center in downtown Fayetteville.
Other UA varsity sports include track and field and cross-country, in which the Razorbacks have won an unprecedented 42 NCAA national championships, including 12 straight NCAA indoor titles from 1984 to 1995.
That success played a role in the construction of world-class facilities, including the Randal Tyson Track Center for indoor competition and John McDonnell Field, named for the Hogs’ legendary former head track coach.
UA also field teams in golf (men and women), gymnastics, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis (men and women) and volleyball.
More information for all UA sporting events is available online at arkansasrazorbacks.com or wholehogsports.com. Ticket information is available by calling (800) 982-4647. ■

]]>http://life.nwadg.com/2014/07/27/never-yield-razorbacks-rallying-cry-sounds-in-quest-for-athletic-excellence/feed/0Naturals offer glimpse at tomorrow’s stars todayhttp://life.nwadg.com/2014/07/27/naturals-offer-glimpse-at-tomorrows-stars-today/
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“Every night has something special going on,” said Justin Cole, general manager for the Naturals. “You don’t have to be a baseball fan to come.”
The Naturals play in the $32 million Arvest Ballpark. Aside from the expected concourse, suites and variety of concessions, the ballpark includes special features for families, including the Kid’s Zone with a playground and bounce house. The start of the 2014 season introduced the Naturals’ miniature train, which carries children and their parents on a ride around the entire ballpark.
One of the biggest draws for the Naturals is the fireworks display, which takes place after every Friday night home game and on special days, such as July 4 and the Sunday before Labor Day. Each display lasts at least 7-10 minutes, with a much longer display for July 4. That display takes place even if the Naturals aren’t in town.
The Northwest Arkansas Naturals arrived in Springdale in 2007 after moving from Wichita, Kan., where they were known as the Wichita Wranglers. Northwest Arkansas residents suggested names for the team, and a popular vote made them the Naturals.
In years past, the team has celebrated the close runner-up with a special day in which they adopt the No. 2 choice in names, the Thunder Chickens. It is one of many special themed days taking place at the ballpark. Other past themed days have included those for fans of Star Wars and Jimmy Buffett. “Pink at the Park” is a day dedicated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer research and education and includes an auction of the game-worn pink jerseys to benefit the foundation. “Teal at the Park” does the same for Ozark Guidance for mental health treatment.
One of the most popular special days at Arvest Ballpark is Faith and Family night, which includes a concert before the game. Day games for schoolchildren are popular as well. Working with the schools, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals allow students to see the games for only $5 a ticket. They even work with teachers to provide lesson plans related to the games, Cole said.
Other popular events include discount nights, such as Dollar Night on Mondays, when select concessions such as hot dogs are $1, and Thirsty Thursday, when beer and soft drinks are discounted.
As much as there is to do in the stands, the best action is still on the field.
The Naturals won the Texas League championship in 2010. In 2013, the Naturals hosted the Texas League All-Star Game.
The 2014 season introduced new manager Vance Wilson, only the second manager for the Naturals. Brian Poldberg, who began as manager when the Naturals moved to Springdale, was promoted to manage the AAA Royals affiliate Omaha Stormchasers.
The Naturals have seen several players move up to the major leagues in recent years, including first baseman Eric Hosmer, third baseman Mike Moustakas and catcher Salvador Perez, former Naturals currently playing on the Kansas City Royals. Several players have had rehab stints with the Naturals, including pitchers Bruce Chen and Greg Holland.
Cole said AA is perfect for seeing tomorrow’s major league stars today.
“You have every good shot of getting into the big leagues in your career starting here,” he said.
At Arvest Ballpark, it’s easy to see those players. From stadium seating that starts right at the warning track to two grass berms where fans can stretch out and relax to watch the game, the ballpark offers views of the game from nearly every vantage point. The ballpark has a capacity of 6,500 plus the berm seating, and lots wrapping around the stadium offer plenty of nearby parking.
Some of the best views are available in the 23 suites, including two party suites. The suites can hold 12-26 people and include a private bathroom, closed-circuit feeds of the game as well as satellite television, comfortable indoor seating and stadium seating outdoors with glass doors that can slide open to expose the entire suite to the outdoors. Suites can be rented for $450-$1,000, depending on the suite.
More information on the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, including how to purchase tickets, is available by calling (479) 927-4900 or by visiting the website at nwanaturals.com. ■

]]>http://life.nwadg.com/2014/07/27/naturals-offer-glimpse-at-tomorrows-stars-today/feed/0Thousand Hills: Quality golf, lodging in downtown Bransonhttp://life.nwadg.com/2013/07/28/thousand-hills-quality-golf-lodging-in-downtown-branson/
http://life.nwadg.com/2013/07/28/thousand-hills-quality-golf-lodging-in-downtown-branson/#respondSun, 28 Jul 2013 12:00:51 +0000http://now.nwaonline.com/?p=449Continue reading]]>Golf lovers can find pristine greens and comfortable lodging just off the bustling “strip” in the resort town of Branson.
Thousand Hills Golf Resort is located off Country Music Boulevard in the heart of Branson. The Robert Cupp design is frequently cited as one of Branson’s best golf courses.
The 18-hole course is known for its challenging tees and fairways and is played by more than 25,000 people seasonally. Playing to a par of 64, the course has nine par-3 holes, eight par 4’s and one par 5, all set amidst a combination of scenic surroundings and constant challenges.
Thousand Hills is making several changes to improve the course’s already popular experience. The resort began offering senior flags in late 2012 for those 55 and older to drive on the fairways on days that other carts are restricted to the paths. Several holes — notably No. 12 — have new cart paths so the walk to the greens is less severe. That new path at No. 12 eliminates the need for using the nearby stairs.
Thousand Hills recently rerouted the course to put some of the more difficult holes, like the par-4 former No. 3, later in the order of play. The changes helped reduce a typical round of golf to four hours or less.
Thousand Hills Golf Resort is located at 245 S. Wildwood Drive in Branson. More information is available online at thousandhills.com or by calling (417) 336-5873 or toll free at (877) 262-0430.
]]>http://life.nwadg.com/2013/07/28/thousand-hills-quality-golf-lodging-in-downtown-branson/feed/0Fitness options available beyond franchise gymshttp://life.nwadg.com/2013/07/28/fitness-options-available-beyond-franchise-gyms/
http://life.nwadg.com/2013/07/28/fitness-options-available-beyond-franchise-gyms/#respondSun, 28 Jul 2013 12:00:49 +0000http://now.nwaonline.com/?p=434Continue reading]]>Northwest Arkansas has many options for those who like to go to the gym to keep fit. From private clubs to national chains, these facilities offer a variety of equipment, courts and activities.
But there are also fitness centers offered as a perk for employees or university students, along with options for those of a certain age or location.
The Walton Life Fitness Center is for Walmart employees and guests. The center is located at 1701 Southeast 14th Street in Bentonville. It features a swimming pool, basketball courts, weight room and tennis courts. Hours are Monday-Thursday, 5 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday, 5 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Sunday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. More information is available by calling (479) 204-1000.
The Adult Wellness Center in Rogers is made to improve health for those 50 or older. The center includes therapy and activity pools, a fitness center and gymnasium, a library and computer lab, an arts and crafts studio and meeting rooms. There are also classes in yoga, pilates, tai chi and other practices. Fees are $25 a year. The center is open Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m.-noon. More information is available at rogersarkansas.com/wellnesscenter.
The Bella Vista Village Property Owners Association runs the Branchwood Recreation Center at 222 Glasgow Road. The center includes a fitness room, indoor pool, hot tub, pool table, racquetball court and outdoor tennis and basketball courts. The center also offers exercises classes in yoga, water fitness and water aerobics. Fees range from $3 a day for POA members to $4 a day for guests. Members can pay $25 a month or $188 per year instead. More information is at available online at bellavistapoa.com/recreation/branchwood.asp.
The POA also manages Riordan Hall, a 19,300-square-foot building with a fitness room, hot tub, men’s and women’s locker rooms, rooms for dance and fitness classes and a snooker room. Classes cover a variety of fitness including zumba, yoga and tai chi. Dance classes include tap, clogging and line dancing. The hall is open Monday-Thursday, 5:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday, 5:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; and Saturday, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Daily fees range from $2.50 for POA members to $4 for sponsored guests. POA members also can pay $25 a month or $188 for the year. More information is available online at bellavistapoa.com/recreation/riordanhall.asp.
Current and former students, along with faculty and staff, of the University of Arkansas can use the facilities at the Health, Physical Education and Recreation complex, better known as “the hyper.” Features include a weight room, racquetball/volleyball and basketball courts, and an Olympic-size swimming pool. Membership fees range from $75 per semester for faculty and staff to $125 per semester for those enrolled in the Arkansas Alumni Association. Fees for HPER use are included in student tuition. Locker rentals are available. Personal training is available at $18 per session for students and $20 per session for other members. More information is available at urec.uark.edu.
These unique centers offer a little something extra for residents of Northwest Arkansas.
]]>http://life.nwadg.com/2013/07/28/fitness-options-available-beyond-franchise-gyms/feed/0Looking up: Both football and basketball Razorbacks seeking to climb back into national spotlighthttp://life.nwadg.com/2013/07/28/looking-up-both-football-and-basketball-razorbacks-seeking-to-climb-back-into-national-spotlight/
http://life.nwadg.com/2013/07/28/looking-up-both-football-and-basketball-razorbacks-seeking-to-climb-back-into-national-spotlight/#respondSun, 28 Jul 2013 12:00:33 +0000http://now.nwaonline.com/?p=445Continue reading]]>Arkansas Razorbacks football is the undisputed king of sports in the state, and the arrival of new head coach Bret Bielema brings added excitement for the 2013 season.
Bielema was hired December 2012 on the heels of one of the most disappointing seasons in University of Arkansas history. Preseason conjecture was that the Hogs might contend for a national title — until head coach Bobby Petrino was fired after a scandal involving a motorcycle wreck and an alleged affair with an employee. The Razorbacks struggled mightily under interim coach John L. Smith, finishing 4-8 overall and 2-6 in Southeastern Conference play.
“We have 21 seniors who are angry, frustrated, upset with the way things went and believe they have a higher spot in the world of college football,” Bielema told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette at the conclusion of 2013 spring drills. “I told them, ‘Hey, we are Rocky, man. Nobody really thinks a lot of us right now. We are on the bottom fighting our way up and we are going to enjoy every minute of it.’ ”
In seven years at Wisconsin, Bielema was 68-24 and coached the Badgers to the Rose Bowl in each of his final three years.
Pundits believe his smash-mouth style of football will serve Arkansas well in SEC play, but success may be limited until he’s had time to recruit and mold his own players.
However, Bielema isn’t one to play the rebuilding card.
“I don’t think that you need to repeat [last] season all over again,” he said. “I just think we need to do what we do, get it across to our players and take it one game at a time.”
Top returning prospects on offense include senior center Travis Swanson, 6-5, 314, and senior fullback Kiero Small, 5-10, 246. The defense will be anchored by senior defensive end Chris Smith, 6-3, 266, along with senior tackles Robert Thomas, 6-3, 318, and Bryan Jones, 6-2, 310.
Arkansas begins a four-game nonconference schedule Aug. 31 in Fayetteville against Louisiana-Lafayette. They will open SEC play Sept. 28 at home against Texas A&M. Other SEC home games will be South Carolina on Oct. 12, Auburn on Nov. 2 and Mississippi State on Nov. 23 in Little Rock.
Fayetteville games are played at the 72,000-seat Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. On the east end is Championship Alley, which includes Razorback memorabilia from conference championships, the 1964 national championship team and every UA football letterman. The west concourse features Bowl Alley, which salutes every UA bowl team, while the south concourse includes All-American Alley, which recognizes Razorbacks who have earned All-American honors.
Places for pregame or postgame meals and celebrations are plentiful throughout Fayetteville and the surrounding area. The Dickson Street entertainment district is always popular before and after games.

ARKANSAS BASKETBALL
The Razorbacks continued their winning ways at home in 2012-13, compiling a 19-1 record, but struggled elsewhere, winning just once in 13 away games. The road losses included a season-ending 75-72 defeat at the hands of Vanderbilt in the SEC Tournament.
Entering its third year under head coach Mike Anderson, Arkansas is hoping for a return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2008.
New faces will have a big bearing on whether that happens, especially considering that guard B.J. Young and forward Marshawn Powell, both starters, decided last spring to move on to the professional level. Post player Hunter Mickelson also is gone, having transferred to Kansas.
One of those new faces likely will be 6-10 freshman forward Bobby Portis from Little Rock Hall, a McDonald’s All-American recruited by college basketball powerhouses nationwide.
“The key is getting acclimated to his teammates,” Anderson told the Democrat-Gazette in March. “Obviously, we can see with the individual workouts we’re having that he’s going to have a chance to have an impact on this team — just the fundamentals that he brings to the table in terms of catching the ball, passing the ball … and he can really run the floor.
“He has a big-time motor. I think he fits well with this group right now.”
Arkansas home games are played at Bud Walton Arena, known as the “Basketball Palace of Mid-America.” Built in 1993 at a cost of $30 million, the facility seats more than 19,000 fans. The custom scoreboard added in 2004 measures 24×22 feet and features four video screens.

ARKANSAS BASEBALL
The baseball Razorbacks are a perennial SEC and national contender, as well as a traditional participant in postseason play.
Head Coach Dave Van Horn has much retooling to do before the 2014 season, as is often the case with college baseball due to players frequently being sought by professional teams.
Pitchers Ryne Stanek, Colby Suggs, Barrett Astin and Brandon Moore were among seven underclassmen and four signees to be chosen in the recent Major League Baseball amateur draft. All are weighing whether to move on or to remain with the Razorbacks another year. Infielder Dominic Ficociello, a senior-to-be, also must make that choice.
Definite returnees include catcher Jake Wise and outfielder Tyler Spoon, both top-shelf players.
“We have a chance to be strong at every position and put together another good year,” Van Horn said recently.
UA boasts a national gem in Baum Stadium, which seats more than 10,700 fans and consistently attracts clamorous crowds while providing a comfortable atmosphere for fans.
College baseball season generally begins in mid-February, with the SEC Tournament following the regular season in May. NCAA postseason play is held in June.

Other UA Sports
Other varsity UA sports include track and field and cross-country, in which the Razorbacks have won an unprecedented 42 NCAA national championships, including 12 straight NCAA indoor titles from 1984 to 1995.
That success played a role in the construction of world-class facilities, including the Randal Tyson Track Center for indoor competition and John McDonnell Field, named for the Hogs’ legendary former head track coach.
UA also fields teams in women’s basketball, golf (men and women), gymnastics, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis (men and women) and volleyball.
More information for all UA sporting events is available online at arkansasrazorbacks.com or wholehogsports.com. Ticket information is available by calling (800) 982-4647.